Members of two families illustrate correct and incorrect manner of taking care of their obligations to one another.


This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives

Producer: Simmel-Meservey
Sponsor: N/A
Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W
Keywords: Social guidance: Etiquette; Social guidance; Kinship

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: JayKay49 - - November 15, 2012
Subject: Anal in 1950
Another wishfull thinking fable where kids are as tightly wound as the parents could ever hope them to be.

The 1950's was rather like this in many households, though. For good reason too. Many of those parents went through 2 world wars, lots of dead friends and relatives, a horrible flu epidemic and of course the depression. All they wanted now was to just be left alone and no static from the kids.

The concept was well illustrated in this very classic film.

Reviewer: Livingthedecentlife2010 - - June 29, 2010
Subject: EXCELLANT FILM!!
I have no idea what the other reviewers saw. Maybe it wasn’t this film. Because, it certainly doesn’t deserve such negative sentiments. As a 24 year old guy. I truly enjoy this little social film from 1950. I found it not only well acted. But more important, it’s message is still valid today. Maybe even more so! Basically the film shows two families. One living a messed up, disorganized life. Can’t find what they’re looking for. Late for work and school etc. The other family works towards living an organized life. Each taking responsibilities for his or her own part in the running of the house. And their own personal possessions. It shows the younger brother and sister working towards being adults and all that goes with being an conscientious family member. So what's wrong with that?! It shows the kids doing their homework early so they can enjoy a radio program. And the daughter helping her Mother entertain there bridge party guests. Let me put it this way. I think that this film could be shown today in both Junior and Senior High school with good success. God knows kids today aren’t being taught good life lessons like this. The narration is WELL done and adds to the overall point of the film. Bottom line… If you have a preteen or teenager at home. Download this film and show it to them, often!

Reviewer: ERD - - October 14, 2005
Subject: Too perfect!
The "organized family in the film is so perfect, so calm, so collected. Nothing ever goes wrong. The girl should turn out to be a good stepford wife. If only life would be so simple!

Reviewer: Spuzz - - December 1, 2003
Subject: Fishing Lure time: Early EARLY morning.
The jokers at Simmel-Meservey are up to it again. The makers of "Date With Your Family" return with "Obligations", and, although not as LOOPY as "Date With Your Family" still has a lot of ridiculous things going for it. In the Simmel-Meservey universe where the sons are called Juniors, and the daughters are called "daughters", we are, for this film, shown a sloppy family, where the Smiths are shown to be a complete (but somewhat moral) mess, and then we have the "good" family, where Junior kills time before breakfast working on a hobby (Making fish lures??) daughter makes lunches for her AND Junior, Mother runs the household, and father, of course, doesn't do much except go to work and bring home the paycheck. It looks obvious, by the looks of this film, that Daughter is getting the short end of the stick here, she's got to clean up, make food AND greet the company (lucky Junior gets to go to bed), what does she get? She's forced to do homework on a lamp stand! (Junior gets a desk!) Totally loopy, and of course a MUST SEE on this site!

Reviewer: Steve Nordby - - November 17, 2003
Subject: Obligated to comply
Disorganized businessman Thadeus Smith has a messy desk and a messy home. Can't seem to find his contracts or his clean suit, and the whole family (except Mom who picks up after the rest) is the same. Now look at the neighbors: The kids do their homework immediately after school and serve their parents and guests refreshments. The daughter feels obligated to "be gracious" to her parents' friends (ho!). Frequently, "obligation" is used when "obediance" or "compliance" would be more appropriate.

Shotlist

Safety Danger Lurks Manners Etiquette Behavior Social guidance Social Control
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